Kamusari Tales Told at Night

Forest, Book 2

By: Shion Miura, Juliet Winters Carpenter - translator

Narrated by: Brian Nishii

From Shion Miura, award-winning author of The Easy Life in Kamusari, comes a spirit-lifting novel about tradition, first love, and ancient lore in a Japanese mountain village.

It’s been a year since Yuki Hirano left home—or more precisely, was booted from it—to study forestry in the remote mountain village of Kamusari. Being a woodsman is not the future he imagined, but his name means “courage,” and Yuki hopes to live up to it. He’s adapting to his job and learning constantly. In between, he records local legends—tales pulsing with life, passion, and wondrous gods. Kamusari has other charms as well. One of them is Nao.

Yuki’s crush on the only other young single person in the village isn’t a secret. Yet how impressed can she be with someone at least five years younger who makes less money and doesn’t even own a car? More daunting, she’s in love with another man. Finally finding his place among the villagers, a feeling deepened by his crush, Yuki seems headed for a dream life of adventure and camaraderie—and Nao could be the missing piece of that dream.

©2009 Shion Miura (P)2022 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. Translation © 2022 by Juliet Winters Carpenter.

The perspective of rural life

I enjoyed the stories from the perspective of an outsider to becoming part of rural village and stories he learned.

Kamusari In the Snow

This the second in this series. My favorite character was the sneaky, computer savvy Gramma & of course, Yugi' the teller of this tale. But the wonderful citizens of Kamusari. I be listening to the book.

Fun book, easy listen

You've probably heard this story a thousand times. City person moves to the country and at first has trouble adjusting. The reasons why -- the unfamiliar customs, the dialect -- are what eventually wins him over. Since this is a sequel, he's already won over. He hasn't fully adjusted, though, so more hijinks ensue. This is not a profound, change-the-world kind of book. Nothing serious happens, no major issues are explored. There's not really a plot, just a series of episodes. But it's quirky and entertaining. If you're looking for an escape, this should fit the bill.

More Sweet Kamusari Tales

I love this addition to the Kamusari Tales. These stories are so gentle and sweet. It’s such a pleasure to read as a break from the craziness of the world. And it even includes a celebration of Christmas which was especially nice since I read this during the holidays. Great characters and funny situations make these books very memorable. Also I love the descriptions of life in the remote Japanese forest village. Just a delightful read and highly recommended for those who enjoy charming characters with loving hearts.

Characters becoming like old friends

I was so happy when I discovered that Shion Miura wrote another book about Kamasuri. The characters are likable and endearing, like old friends. I also really enjoy Brian Niishi’s narration with his interpretations of the voices of the different characters. He is one of the best out there.

I hope more stories are on the way. This book has me wanting to go to Kamasuri, but I think it is a fictitious town. At any rate, I love Japan and its culture. .. and these books!